Outside of getting shutout for the first time under Coach Mark Hudspeth (overall since 2002), there wasn’t anything eye popping in the Cajuns 24-0 loss to Appalachian State Wednesday night.
Sure, there was probably less than 10,000 fans in Cajun Field for the ‘White Out’, the uniform design made for an ‘unfortunate look’ and it took App State less than :30 to score (:27 to be exact) their first touchdown of the game.
The fleur-de-lis pattern, combined with the way shoulder pads protrude, almost made it look like some players were wearing a bra: pic.twitter.com/sAbok7FGeZ
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 13, 2016
After allowing the Mountaineers to score on their first four possessions of the game, (would’ve been 4 TD’s if not for holding on App State), the UL defense settled in during the 2nd half. But this isn’t about the defense. It’s about the offense.
Definition of STALE: ‘no longer new and interesting or exciting’.
The offense is led by Eli McGuire, who following the Wednesday’s clash, is the Cajuns career leader in all purpose yardage. Quarterback Anthony Jennings is a graduate transfer from LSU. Running back and wide receivers have plenty of depth. So why has the Cajuns offense been in neutral for 1 1/2 seasons?
In addition to not having an Alonzo Harris power back to pound it up the middle, I’m sure some of has to do with no more Quave’s along the offensive line. Daniel & Michael anchored the line for 5 years. Which up until 2015, didn’t have anyone miss a game due to injury in Hudspeth’s first four seasons. But overall the Cajuns offense has gotten stale.
Not only does everyone in Sun Belt know what’s coming, the Cajuns don’t have the personal to run what Hudspeth wants to run. Pounding McGuire into the middle of the line didn’t work last year and hasn’t worked this year. In fact, after 38 carries vs Tulane, he missed most of the New Mexico State game, which may have cost UL a necessary conference win.
And ponder this, is the Cajuns offense hypocritical? Hudspeth wants to control the ball with the ground game, but he wants to do it quickly? They often run plays too fast and when it doesn’t work, they tend to find themselves in 3rd and long, which this offense or any, is built to convert.
Either way, Hudspeth and the Cajuns need to freshen things up offensively other than doing the same thing, but just quicker. Start to include throws down the field to their incredibly athletic wide receivers. What about a slant or two that hits someone in stride to pick up some yards after the catch? Anything compared to Eli behind left or right guard.
If not, we’ll probably see more games with few points and even fewer fans.